Control for a clothes washing machine



Oct. 28, 1969 R J, sums ET AL 3,474,646

CONTROL FOR A CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1968 FIG. I.

9 MOTOR s7 OVER-RIDE L0 SWITCH MED sps laa sg mc'r J 23! 29 I an 22 U I7 I i 36% isz TIMER Lu 2| HI H6. 2.

WITNESSESI |NVEN TORS i0? 7%iM Robert J. Suns and Norma J. Workman United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A control for a multi-speed, multi-water level washing machine which ensures low operation speeds when small delicate loads are to be washed in a small quantity of water. The control is characterized by the provision of a switch which is connected either in series with the low speed winding of the motor or in series with a three speed selector switch which is in series with the motor.

The switch is tied into the water level control so that i it is in series with the low speed coil of the motor when the lowest water level has been selected and in series with the selector switch when any other water level has been selected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates, in general, to agitator type washing machines and, more particularly, to a control for use therein.

To satisfactorily accommodate the wide variety of fabrics, washing machines are built to operate at various speeds. They are also provided with water level controls, the primary purpose of which is to conserve water. For example, when just a few articles of clothing are to be washed, the water level control is manually adjusted so that only a small quantity of water is introduced into the machine.

It has been found that a slow agitator speed combined with a low water level is suitable for washing small loads of delicate clothes, for example, lingerie. It has also been found that if a fast agitator speed is combined with a low water level, excessive splashing takes place resulting in excessive movement and, consequently, damage to the delicate fabrics.

Accordingly, it is the general object of this invention to provide a new and improved agitator type washing machine.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a new and improved control for an agitator type washing machine which insures proper motor speed and, therefore, agitator speed, when a low water level is utilized.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when considered in view of the following specification and drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAVINGS FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of a top loading washing machine incorporating the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a control forming an important part of the machine illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, especially FIG. 1, reference character designates generaly a top loading or agitator type washing machine comprising a body portion 11, a top wall 12 and a rear splasher plane] 13.

The splasher panel 13 is a conventional multi-walled structure providing a cavity (not shown) in which certain controls are disposed. The panel 13 includes a wall 14 having mounted therein a plurality of control actuating knobs, for example, a timer knob 16 which serves to initiate operation of the machine 10 through closure of a pair of cam actuated contacts 17 (see FIG. 2) operatively associated with a timer 18 shown schematically in FIG. 2.

A water level control knob, 19, also carried by the wall 14, serves to program a water level control mechanism (not shown) to elfect termination of water flowing into the machine in accordance with the size clothes load to be washed. Such a control may consist of a pneumatically operated switch which works against a spring, the force of which may be varied by the knob 19 to provide for different shut-oft points.

A three speed reversible motor 21 shown schematically in FIG. 2 provides power for operation of the machine 10. The windings of the motor 21 are energized via line conductors L and L depending on the setting of a three position selector switch 22 comprising a movable contact arm 23 and a plurality of fixed contacts 24. As shown, each of the contacts 24 serves to establish a circuit through a different portion of the motor windings 26 to thereby provide for Hi, Med or L0 speed operation. The selector switch 22 is operated by means of a knob 27 carried by the wall 14.

A motor override switch 28 comprises a movable contact arm 29 and a pair of fixed contacts 31 and 32 the power of which is electrically connected to the movable contact arm 23 by means of a conductor 33 and the latter of which is connected with the motor winding designated Lo by means of a conductor 34. It will be apparent that current flowing through the timer contacts 17 can be routed to the motor 21 via the selector switch 22 or across conductor 34. The contact arm 29 is normally biased into engagement with the contact 31 by means of spring 36.

The control knob 19 is provided with a cam 37 which eifects closure of the contact arm 29 on the contact 32 when the knob 19 is set at the L0 position. This insures that when a Lo water level has been selected, the proper motor speed is also selected.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described apparatus and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a washing machine having automatic means for controlling the water level therein and a variable speed motor forproviding various wash cycles, the improvement comprising:

means for selecting a predetermined water level,

a selector switch for said variable speed motor,

means responsive to the actuation of said means for selecting a predetermined water level for by-passing said selector switch to render said motor operable only at its lowest speed when the lowest water level is selected.

2. Structure as specified in claim 1, said last-mentioned means comprises a switch adapted to be alternately connected to the low speed winding of said motor and to said selector switch.

3. Structure as specified in claim 2, wherein said means for selecting a predetermined water level comprises a cam structure having a first cam surface for controlling 3 4 the water level control and a second cam surface for es- FOREIGN PATENTS tablishing a circuit through said switch. 886,082 1/1962 Great Britain.

References Cited WILLIAM 1. PRICE, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 3,091,107 5/1963 Rhodes 6812X 137-487 

